DCist reports that Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans has established a legal defense committee as he faces legal and ethics issues stemming from his business dealings as a councilmember. Frank Wilds, a Ward 5 resident who is also an ANC Commissioner representing ANC 5A01, is chairing that committee. According to DCist, Mr. Wilds had this to say about Councilmember Evans:

“Jack is a friend of mine for years, and that’s all I have to say about it,” says Wilds, declining to comment further. The day after this story was published, Wilds called back to add: “Sometimes you make a mistake and apologize and realize, ‘Hey, I made a mistake.’ And that’s what [Evans] did. I’ll say one thing—he’s been good for the city.”

Mr. Wilds is my commissioner. Mr. Wilds was also installed as a trustee for the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) in June 2019 to serve a two-year term. (Disclosure: My two-year term as LRCA president ended in June, and I am no longer affiliated with the organization).

I started drafting a post about how we in ANC 5A01 need a new commissioner before this latest news came out. I generally try to keep things positive on the blog because there are plenty of outlets for people to complain. But I did say in 2016 that someone really needs to run against Mr. Wilds.

So I am repeating my entreaty for those of you who live in ANC 5A01 who have ever thought to yourself, “Gee, is anyone doing anything about X?” or “Gee, I’d really like to get involved in my neighborhood.” Please consider serving. The next ANC election is in November 2020. ANC positions are nonpartisan for those who might be concerned about government jobs.

The boundaries of ANC 5A01 are Galloway Street NE to the south, the eastern side of South Dakota Avenue NE to the west, the southern side of Kennedy Street NE to the north, and Eastern Avenue NE to the east.